Out of my distress I called on the LORD;
the LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.
With the LORD on my side I do not fear.
What can mortals do to me?
The LORD is on my side to help me;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to put confidence in mortals.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to put confidence in princes.
Psalm 118
How do I deal with fear? What do I do with the dread that awakens me in the night?
The truth is there is so little I can control, other than being sure I am well-prepared for the challenge or trial that is looming.
As immobilizing as fear can be, it brings us a vital lesson if we are honest. It reminds us that we are inadequate.
It is in my inadequacy that I begin to face the real view of my circumstance. It is then that I begin to ask the important questions:
- Am I alone in the battle or is there a God who overrules human affairs?
- Does the outcome depend on my resources or the massive resources beyond my own–the resources of the powerful, faithful, living God?
- Do I rely on self–i.e, self-confidence or do I have God confidence?
If we fail to believe the truth–that we can overcome the "giants" in our lives through God’s strength–then we will believe the lie…
The lie is that people and circumstances ultimately dictate the outcome rather than God’s grace.
We will believe something!
Fear is conquered when we believe the truth and trust God. So, when we are embattled and feel spiritual courage melting, we need to ask ourselves if we are embracing a lie that is empowering evil and blocking faith.
With every new trial, the temptation is to underestimate God and overestimate evil. We assume that because we don’t always see what God is doing–that He is doing nothing.
We see everything that evil is doing and we are tempted to fear.
David, who knew from whence he spoke, encourages us that it is better to take refuge in God we cannot see than to put confidence in the giant evil that we can!
Becky Pippert, A Heart Like His